Reasons Why The R Word Pledge Is Important

By Douglas Howard


A national campaign has been launched called The Spread the Word to End the Word in which the main goal is to encourage the people to make a pledge on stopping the use of retard word. According to the advocates of this campaign, it is very hurtful whenever the term will be used in colloquial and everyday speech. It dehumanizes those individuals with intellectual disabilities. The use of languages that respect the persons dignity is being advocated.

The advocates have their belief as well that individuals with cognitive disabilities or with some developmental disabilities can be capable of enjoying life experiences. They also have casual references, stating that spitting out this term to one particular person can make him or her less than human. And for this reason, having the R word pledge is very necessary.

Retard means so much to disabled persons each time they are able to hear it, and also to their friends and families who love them and care of them. They said, it would be really hard for them to avoid to make a comparison between them and normal people. And most of the time, they are thinking that they are types of people which not even one would wish to be like, making them feel left alone.

All the words do matter if these are being used anytime and anywhere. Scoffing towards the others about a particular topic is really not necessary just for a point to be made. Each of the person has an own gift and one important thing here is recognizing these gifts. It literally means that through this, being better is what them world can surely achieved.

When the word retard is spoken, it can be compared to saying that a certain person is mentally handicapped or stupid. Usually, this term is used to be spoken or stated in the most disrespectful manner. And thus, it simply implies considering stupidity as the main characteristic which a mentally handicapped individual possesses.

There is this belief that the most hurtful thing could be language rather than actions. Most especially if you are already aware about the impact of your oral transgression. Thus, saying that there is no mistake that words do hurt. So if you have been peppering the words either retard or retarded, it means you are also spreading hurt.

This term is considered as hate speech because persons can be offended both those with development disabilities such as intellectually and those people who care for them and support them. It excludes and alienates them. It emphasizes those negative stereotypes which are surrounding disabled persons. There are some who still believe in the traditional way in which these were being hidden away and segregated from society.

And because this is now considered a casual description to flaws and to negativity, this word retard is not considered anymore as appropriate for intellectually disabled persons. And thus, it would be hurtful to make use of in any way like as slang or as not intended for being offensive. This is because associating this with persons who have mental disabilities is still done.

A number of people until now do not clearly understand that they are already hurting others due to hate. It maybe because they have not come up to a realization yet that they do hate. However, knowing they do are hating is necessary such as when they mock them, taking preemptive dismissal, and dehumanize them. There are more hurtful than the racism and sexism.




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